Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees

Vision of the Board

• We strive to be leaders in the community by transforming lives and improving systems of advocacy for mental health and substance abuse issues.

• We aim to provide education in order to promote stability and reduce stigma.

• We hope to be a gateway between providers and consumers within the mental health community.

• We want to advocate for programs and services that promote healthy, independent, and productive residents of Boone County.

Values of the Board

• Leadership: We will advocate for, motivate, and empower the people of Boone County through the allocation and coordination of mental health resources.

• Trust: We will ensure the efficient management of funds with fiscal integrity and accountability to the people of Boone County.

• Responsiveness: We will promote community-based, grass roots, mental health services, and support that is timely and meets local needs.

• Compassion: We believe that all individuals should be treated with kindness, concern, and empathy.

• Dignity: We believe that all people deserve to be treated with respect and integrity.

Mission of the Board

Through fiscal oversight and local decision-making, the Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees, ensures access to well coordinated, high-quality mental health services that are consumer and family focused, affordable, accountable, and that result in a healthy Boone County.

Goal of the Board

All residents of Boone County will have access to effective mental health care.

The Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees owes its purpose and mandate to a bill passed by the MO General Assembly in 1990. This legislation authorized every county in the state to establish a “Mental Health Board of Trustees.” Specific provisions about boards of trustees appear in RSMo sections 205.975 to 205.900. The Boone County board was established in 1992.

The board must consist of at least nine members who are representative of county demographics and who are appointed by the County Commissioners. They serve for three year terms and the board must include a licensed physician, consumers, mental health providers and non provider citizens.

The central responsibility of the Boone County Mental Health Board of Trustees is to assess mental health and substance abuse needs in the county and then establish and administer a “Community Mental Health Fund.” The law mandates that with authorization from the county commissioners a proposition may be placed on the ballot to levy and collect a property tax for a “Community Mental Health Fund.” The funds generated may be used to establish a community mental health service; supplement existing services; or purchase services.